Timmons: Our Economy Isn’t Creating Jobs Fast Enough

Washington, D.C., July 8, 2016 – National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ release of the June jobs numbers:

“While many in Washington may claim today’s report is a positive development, the bottom line is that an increase in the unemployment rate is unacceptable. Our economy isn’t creating jobs fast enough, especially manufacturing jobs. While 14,000 new manufacturing jobs last month is a positive development, we have lost 24,000 manufacturing jobs so far this year. We are not reaching our full potential. Our elected leaders in Washington and candidates on the campaign trail need to give us clear answers. What are they going to do to remove barriers to economic growth? If they need a guide, manufacturers have already outlined a clear agenda to move us forward.

It’s frustrating for manufacturers to hear both major party candidates pretend the solution is to bash free trade and perpetuate myths about the Trans-Pacific Partnership and trade agreements in general. It’s time for this isolationist rhetoric to stop. It helps no one—except our competitors in the global economy. The United States should be writing the rules on trade. Trade opens up opportunities for manufacturers in the United States to reach new customers with our products, strengthening our economy and creating good jobs.”

Trade is essential to manufacturing’s continued growth and success. To learn more about policies that will fuel growth, visit our website.

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.17 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.